The adrenal fatigue diet

A genuine adrenal fatigue diet focuses on when you
eat as much as what you eat. Specifically, when you have adrenal fatigue, the timing
of your meals and snacks is remarkably important to how you feel during the day
and how you sleep at night.

Long periods without food can make the adrenals work harder by requiring them to
release more cortisol and adrenaline to keep your body functioning normally. This
can tire out your adrenals over time. That’s why on our adrenal fatigue diet you‘ll
never get too hungry or deprive yourself of delicious food. Your adrenals need fuel
and that means that regular meals and snacks with a variety of real foods are an
absolute must – unlike many diets!

Our simple guidelines help you build a diet that supports your adrenals – from the
best times to eat, to the nutrients you need, to what foods to avoid. These upgrades
will all help transform your adrenal health so that you can feel energetic all day
and get a great night’s sleep.

When to eat for adrenal health

Eating for adrenal health starts with supporting your body’s natural cortisol cycle
— which in turn reduces the stress on your adrenals. The goal is to prevent most
of the dramatic spikes in cortisol that are triggered when you go too long without
eating. Over time, unstable or high cortisol levels can cause very unpleasant adrenal
fatigue symptoms and alter your natural cortisol curve.

To keep your cortisol levels as smooth as possible, eat three nutritious meals and
two to three snacks throughout the day. Here is the schedule that we recommend:

Working with your natural cortisol cycle

Cortisol levels follow a natural cycle that aligns with your circadian rhythm. Normally,
cortisol begins to rise around 6:00 AM and reaches its highest peak around 8:00
AM. Throughout the day, cortisol gradually and naturally declines — with small upward
bumps at meal times — to prepare your body for nighttime rest. You can see in the
chart below why timing your meals and snacks can help balance cortisol levels.

If you can’t stick to the recommended timing for meals and snacks every day, keep
these guidelines in mind:

Breakfast: Women tell us they often don’t feel hungry
in the morning. But having a nutritious breakfast within an hour of rising — preferably
with a little protein — energizes your metabolism and supports your cortisol levels
throughout the day.

Lunch: Eating your largest meal in the middle of
the day helps keep cortisol in balance. Lunch is often rushed or gobbled down at
a desk between work tasks. Instead, take plenty of time to eat, and choose a more
relaxed setting if possible. Tranquil mealtimes are essential for good adrenal health.

Dinner: Try to eat an early dinner (by 5:00-6:00
PM). If this is just too early to accomplish, you can at least make your evening
meal the lightest one of the day. Many women tell us they tend to overeat at dinner
and before bed. Unfortunately, a full stomach and the stress hormones it triggers
can prevent restful sleep (resulting in higher stress hormones the next day).

Nutrients you need for adrenal health

Common symptoms like
stress and weight gain, irritability and fatigue are often related to nutrient
deficiencies. This list of the top nutrients you need for adrenal health helps you
understand why they are important and which foods are good sources. You may also
want to consider a comprehensive multivitamin/mineral formula such as our
Essential Nutrients.

Nutrients for adrenal health

Good food sources

Vitamins C, E and all B vitamins (especially pantothenic acid and B6)
have crucial roles in the production and actions of stress hormones.

Unfortunately, the surge of energy from these foods is followed by a plunge in energy
and you end up feeling worse very quickly. Sugar and simple carbohydrates stimulate
a spike in blood sugar and a subsequent surge in insulin that clears sugar from
your bloodstream so fast that you “crash.” Complex carbohydrates don't cause this
same spike-and-crash cycle, though too many carbs in general will still imbalance
blood sugar.

Additional herbal support for your adrenals

Adaptogenic herbs provide extra support for adrenal function by adapting to the
specific needs of your adrenals. These herbs include:

5 ways to support your adrenal healing with better food choices:

Include protein.
Protein in all of your meals and snacks will have a stabilizing effect on your blood
sugar, which, in turn, can help you overcome cravings for caffeine and sugars. Nuts,
seeds, beans and other plant proteins are good choices. Women typically need between
60-70 total grams of protein per day. Protein is especially important to get you
started in the morning.

Give gluten-free foods a try.
As you begin to balance your adrenals, stay away from any form of wheat, rye or
other gluten-containing grains. Many people have inflammatory reactions to gluten.
Turn to gluten-free grains like wild rice, quinoa, “pure” buckwheat and amaranth
and see how you feel. If you later reintroduce gluten and find that symptoms return,
you may want to cut it out altogether.

Limit caffeine’s effects.
Caffeine can over-stimulate the adrenals and disrupt sleep patterns. But if you
find yourself craving caffeine, it may be that your cortisol or blood sugar is low
or that serotonin is imbalanced. In any case, you may not have much energy and your
body probably needs a rest. Instead of cranking it up with another cup and having
a caffeine crash later, take a mini-break and try deep breathing or a ten-minute
walk.

Notice your salt cravings.
Women with adrenal fatigue often crave salt. Yes, salt can increase blood pressure,
but low blood pressure (hypotension) is a very common sign of adrenal insufficiency.
If you feel lightheaded when you get out of bed in the morning, stand up quickly,
or get up out of a bath, you may very well have low adrenal function. Including
more good quality iodized sea salt in your diet could be helpful.

Small changes, dramatic adrenal differences

Starting to eat in a new way can feel stressful, so focus most on making the best
choices you can. And be easy on yourself, as we all veer off the nutritious path
occasionally.

With your knife and fork, you have the power to lessen the burden on your adrenals
— and your whole body. It doesn't take much — just some small shifts in the choices
you make in your nutrition and eating patterns will make a big, happy difference.

Further reading on the connections between nutrition and adrenal fatigue

Adrenal Fatigue, the 21st Century Stress Syndrome, by James Wilson. An
excellent and up-to-date introduction to the pathways of chronic stress, adrenal
fatigue, adrenal exhaustion, and how nutrition can support adrenal function and
healthy cortisol levels.

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